An Examination on the Mediating Effect of Collaboration on the Relationship between Consultant Competency and Consulting Utilization in Knowledge Service

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study is based on previous research that the higher the consultant's competency, the higher the Consulting utilization. There is insufficient research on the effect of collaboration between consultants on Consulting utilization, I would like to study ollaboration as a parameter. Methods/Statistical analysis: The subjects of the study were consultants registered with the Korea Management Technology Consultant Association, which is currently conducting consulting, and consultants who graduated from the Graduate School of Consulting. Data collection was conducted using questionnaires. A total of 33 questions were measured, including 28 of the measurement variables consisting of a general characteristic 5 questions and a Likert 5-point scale. For empirical analysis, the SPSS Ver. 22 statistical package was used to perform Frequency analysis, Descriptive statistical analysis, Exploratory factor analysis, Reliability analysis, Correlation analysis, Regression and a Mediated effect analysis was performed. Findings: The results of the empirical analysis of this study showed that, first, Common competency, Job competency and Management competency which are the competency of management consultants, had a positive effect on consulting utilization. Among management consultant competencies, Common competency was found to have the largest impact on Consulting utilization (? = .464, p< .001). Second, Common competency, Job competency, and Management competency, which are the competency of management consultants, have a positive effect on Collaboration. Among management consultant competencies, Common competency was found to have a high impact on the Collaboration (? = .586, p< .001). Third, it was found that Collaboration affects Consulting utilization (? = .401, p< .001). Fourth, Collaboration was partially mediated in the relationship between management consultant competency and Consulting utilization. In the relationship between management consultant competency and Consulting utilization, the Common competency was found to have a high impact, but the result of the analysis using Collaboration as a parameter showed that the Common competency had a high impact. Improvements/Applications: This study emphasizes the importance of Collaboration, which is teamwork among consultants by sector in SMEs (small and medium enterprise) consulting. However, according to the characteristics of SMEs, it is necessary to conduct research related to industrial classification and social network variables.